Space Invader in Paris

One of Paris’s most prolific street artists is Space Invader.

His specific style is created by forming colored tiles or Rubik’s Cube pieces into mosaics that look like the pixelated characters in classic video games, like Space Invaders.

Though his pixel art started in Paris, where he seems to have most pieces, his work can also be seen throughout the world – I’ve seen his pieces in New York, London, Tokyo, Barcelona, and Rome.

Many of his characters are pasted up on buildings high above street level, where you wouldn’t think to look, but when you do, you’re rewarded with a random little Invader surprise. In certain cities, the location of the mosaics are placed so that, when looked at altogether on a map, the pinpoints form another space invader character.

It’s hard to argue with those that take issue with graffiti artists who attach their work to other people’s property, but something about discovering these hidden creatures is incredibly fun, like a live action pixelated video game.

Not all of Space Invader’s work is illegal, though. Recently, his work has been in galleries, museums, and art centers around the world. He was also featured in the 2010 Banksy movie Exit Through the Gift Shop. He also has a website store where he sells stickers, books, maps, and other stuff, in case you want to own your very own piece of Space Invader.

http://www.space-invaders.com/

2011-08-02 #places #graffiti #street-art #mosaic #location #paris #france #space-invader #pixels #select-type-of-location #cityguide #art-and-culture #paris-cityguide #tile-art